After finally managing to send Fate-san off to her duties and escaping the recruitment attempts of Shia-san and Heart-san, I immediately dashed into the streets.
My objective was simple. To get Fate-san moving, I’d told her I had a present ready… and now I had to make good on that promise as quickly as possible. However, the moment I reached the city center, a realization hit me. I—I had no idea what to buy.
What would make Fate-san happy? What did she actually like? I couldn't think of a single thing.
"…Alice."
"Yes, yes. What’s up?"
This wasn't the time to be picky about my methods, so I summoned Alice to pick her brain. In my conversations with Fate-san, the person she mentioned most often was undoubtedly Alice. I figured they must be close.
"Alice, you and Fate-san are close… right?"
"Why, of course! Fate-san and I are soul friends!"
When I asked to confirm, Alice puffed out her modest chest and nodded. It seemed they really were on good terms. That was a lifesaver—she was bound to know what Fate-san liked. Even setting that aside, Alice was the world’s leading informant and an incredibly reliable ally.
"I see… In that case, Alice, could you tell me what Fate-san likes?"
"I haven't a clue."
"You haven't a clue!?"
Contrary to her usual self, Alice tilted her head and gave me an uncharacteristically serious answer.
"…Wait, Alice. You don’t know what she likes?"
"No. I hate to say it, but… Fate-san just idles around all day. She never shows interest in owning anything."
"What about her favorite foods?"
"She doesn't technically need to eat. If I bring her something, she’ll eat it, but she doesn't seem to have any particular preferences."
"…How about hobbies?"
"Do you honestly think she has any?"
"…No, I don’t."
This was bad. Fate-san was a far more formidable opponent than I’d anticipated. As a Goddess, she didn't need to eat, she never went out shopping, and she spent all her time lounging about. She had absolutely no openings. Actually, she was just a total degenerate… Wait. A degenerate… a cushion that ruins people…
"…Alice, I have a request."
"Yes?"
That’s right, I remembered now. I’d caught a glimpse of her room when I visited Fate’s Temple—it had been overflowing with cushions. That was where the hint for her gift lay.
"I want you to make a slightly unusual cushion for me."
"A cushion? Sure, I can whip one of those up in no time. What kind are we talking about?"
"Well, to put it simply…"
I proceeded to give Alice the blueprint for the bead-filled cushion that ruins people, which utilized a massive quantity of tiny beads. After listening to my explanation for a bit, Alice nodded in understanding and said she could make it immediately as long as she had the materials. With that settled, I made the rounds to gather the supplies and left the production of the present in Alice's hands.
Relieved that the gift was underway, I decided to catch a glimpse of Mitsunaga-kun's speech before heading back to the inn. Having done this for several months now, Mitsunaga-kun looked dignified and spoke eloquently without a single stumble.
I managed to chat with him briefly afterward. It turned out he was set to depart for the next town first thing tomorrow morning. I promised to see him off and then finally made my way back to the inn. Then, as if timed for better or worse, someone knocked on my door just as I was settling down for a break.
I already knew who it was. Recalling the events from two days ago, I slowly opened the door while carefully stepping out of the direct line of fire…
"Kai-chaaaaaaan!"
"Wha—!? Gofugh!?"
Impossible… I was certain I’d moved out of the way… And yet, she’d curved at a right angle and struck my solar plexus with pinpoint accuracy. What on earth did she have against my solar plexus!?
"Kai-chan! I’m so tireeeed! I worked so hard! Praise meeeee!"
"G-Good work. You really did your best."
Wincing from the fresh damage to my gut, I managed to squeeze out some words of appreciation.
"Now! Kai-chan, it’s a promise! A slimy and thorough massage!"
"…There won’t be any 'slimy' involved, but fine."
Fate-san held out her arms as if demanding a hug, but I gracefully dodged her, set out a chair, and urged her to take a seat. However, Fate-san immediately ignored the chair as well! She dove onto the bed and sprawled out face-down.
I let out a heavy sigh, gave a slow nod, and approached her. Though no words were spoken, a silent battle of wits was unfolding between us.
—Kai-chan, hold me as a reward for my hard work! —I didn't promise that. This is strictly a massage. Now, please, use the chair… —Muu, you're going to try and settle for a simple shoulder rub? Rejected! Resolutely rejected!! —Guh, face-down on the bed it is… —A massage was part of the deal! —I… I understand.
And so, after that silent exchange of gazes and actions, it was decided that I would massage Fate-san while she lay face-down. To be honest, I could manage a shoulder rub, but I’d never given a full-body massage before. Still, I had a general idea of how it worked, so I’d just have to wing it. I doubted Fate-san expected professional-grade skill from an amateur like me anyway.
"Alright, here I go."
"Lay it on me!"
"Isn't that a weird thing to say?"
"Ahaha."
I gave a wry smile at the oddly high-spirited Fate-san and placed my hands on her shoulders. Whoa, they were soft. My heart skipped a beat at that feminine softness, but I tried to maintain my composure as I began to knead her shoulders.
"…Mmm… Haa…"
"Does it hurt?"
"Ahaha, Kai-chan, I’m a Supreme God, you know? It wouldn't hurt even if you squeezed with all your might. You can go a bit harder~"
"Understood."
I slowly kneaded her shoulders and used my thumbs to apply pressure to the area near her shoulder blades. Then, I felt a strange sensation… It was as if I instinctively knew I should press right here.
"Fuaah… Kai-chan… that feels amazing."
Wait, what was this? This feeling… Do I know where to massage? Or rather, I felt like I could sense exactly where Fate-san wanted me to press. Was this it? Was this… Sympathy Magic!? Maybe my Sympathy Magic was reading the minute fluctuations in Fate-san’s mana, telling me exactly how to make her feel good.
"Ah, mm-fuaah… Kai-chan, you’re so good… It feels wonderful~"
"……"
This was an truly unexpected application for my power. Maybe I had a future as a massage therapist. As usual, my abilities only seemed to manifest in the most inconspicuous ways, but in this situation, I was grateful for it. I continued the massage with that same momentum.
"Anh… kuun, haa… ah, ugh… haa… aah…"
"…Um, Fate-san? Could you please not make such suggestive noises? I can’t concentrate."
"Ehh~ But it feels so good~ Aahn."
"……"
No, she was lying. It might have felt good, but those noises were definitely intentional! They were far too exaggerated; she was clearly trying to sound erotic on purpose. Was this a temptation? So, she’d started using underhanded tricks like this instead of just direct attacks. Fate-san… what a terrifying person.
Anyway, I just had to empty my mind! Right now, I was a massage machine. I had no emotions. I was a void. I would move only my hands with a vacant heart…
"Fuau… aah… ngh… Kai-chan… Kai-chaaaaaan."
"……"
Hey, don’t call my name… especially not with that voice. I really wished she’d give me a break; my sanity was being whittled away.
As I finished with her shoulders, I slowly let my hands slide down her back to transition into a lower massage. However, this position was… very bad for my health. Fate-san was wearing ritual robes similar to Shiro-san and Chronoa-san, and perhaps because of the thin fabric, her body lines were incredibly distinct while she was lying down like this. Moreover, since she was face-down, Fate-san’s large swells were being pressed against the bed, and every time she let out a blissful moan and shifted her body, her shapely bottom swayed provocatively.
"Aahhh… Aaah! Hyu, aaaaaah!"
"……"
She just stole a glance at me. She was definitely enjoying this. My face felt like it was on fire, and no matter how much I tried to achieve Zen, Fate-san’s voice was ringing far too loudly in my ears. Fate-san seemed to realize this, as she was intentionally moving with a sultry grace to keep me off-balance. This was torture. Hang in there, me…
Dear Mother, Father—I’ve been giving Fate-san a massage just as I promised, but it seems she’s learned methods other than just being pushy. She’s been letting out some incredibly suggestive noises. In such an unexpected situation—I ended up tasting hardship once again.
Note: This is a massage! Strictly a massage! This work is a very healthy work!!